Historical Events in September and October

September

1 Day of Knowledge (School Day). Today is the first day of school all across Russia. Students arrive at school with flowers for their teachers - usually  gladiolus  are de rigueur - dying to tell each other about their summer adventures. Traditionally the graduate students take by the hand the pervoklassniki (beginners), one of whom is always ringing the symbolic school bell. Sept. 1 is supposed to be a joyful day for students and teachers alike as there isn’t much teaching going on anyway, yet whenever  it falls on a weekend (like this year) everybody awaits  a postponement of the beginning of school with baited breath.